Then he became feverishly impatient to
leave a place that seemed so full of danger, and he longed eagerly for
Has-se's return.
Although Rene watched anxiously for Has-se, he also cast frequent
glances towards the stream, fearful lest Chitta and his companion
should again appear. Thus he was not looking when his friend emerged
from the forest, and did not hear the light tread of his moccasined
feet. Nor was he aware of any presence near him, until a low laugh,
which so startled him that he almost upset the canoe, gave the first
hint of his friend's return.
"Oh, Has-se!" he exclaimed, in a whisper rendered hoarse by his
excitement, "glad am I to see thee once more. Chitta is in pursuit of
us, and with him is as evil-looking an Indian as ever I saw, but large
and powerful withal."
Then he related the whole incident of the appearance of the strange
canoe, to which Has-se listened with grave attention.
When Rene had finished he said, "Has-se also has something to tell.
Far down the river, on the side opposite the end of the trail, he heard
the sound of many voices, and he knows his people are there. Let us go
to them."
"But if we venture out into the stream, will not Chitta and the one
with him see us?"
"If they do not until we float on the river, they must prove themselves
swifter than Hu-la-lah" (the wind) "to catch us before we reach
friends. How is thy hand? Is the sting of Chitta-wewa still painful?"
"Oh! my hand? Why, no; I had no thought of it until now.
Pages:
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78